AGENDA: Supervisor Flansburg asked to add the re-opening of the budget to the agenda. Supervisor Banach moved approve the agenda. Motion is seconded by Supervisor Flansburg and carries with all in favor.

Public Comment: None.

MINUTES: The minutes of the December 6, 2011 meeting were discussed. Supervisor Banach would like to have the minutes amended to include Supervisor Muir’s comments about him. Solicitor Bernathy said the minutes should reflect what happens at the meeting as far as who made the motion, who seconded, and who voted. There is no requirement that the minutes are verbatim. Legally the voting is all that is required. Solicitor Bernathy went on to say the board needs to decide on policy of what the minutes should reflect and that they could become very cumbersome for the secretary. Supervisor Flansburg suggested a public apology for the people who had to sit and listen to the comment, stating it has no place on this board. Going on to offer an apology for the language used at that meeting. Supervisor Flansburg then offered Supervisor Banach an apology from the township. Supervisor Banach thanked Supervisor Flansburg and moved to approve the minutes of December 6, 2011. Motion is seconded by Vice-Chairman Fischer and carries with all in favor.

The minutes of the December 21, 2011 meeting were reviewed and approved on a motion by Vice-Chairman Fischer, seconded by Chairman Ewbank. Supervisor Banach abstains. Supervisor Flansburg and Supervisor Melvin were not in office at the time. Motion carried with two in favor and one abstention.

TREASURER’s REPORT: Scott Myer gave the treasurer’s report for December stating that all things considered 2011 was a good year. Income was 10% over budget. Expenses were in line with the budget. As a result of the solid year we were able to pay off a cash flow loan two years early. Supervisor Banach moved to approve the report. Supervisor Melvin seconds the motion. Motion carried with all in favor.

POLICE REPORT: Police Chief Stewart gave the report for December stating that there were 5,693 miles patrolled for the month and 172 calls for service. Chief Stewart reminded everyone to keep their cars locked because there have been people going through cars recently. Supervisor Flansburg asked about the 172 calls for service not adding up with the top report number. Chief Stewart said the 2nd page breaks everything down and that he only gives the number of crimes reported to the FBI. Supervisor Banach moved to approve the report. Motion is seconded by Vice-Chairman Fischer and carried with all in favor.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Bill Koferl gave the Westfall Township Fire Department Report for December reporting 3 structure fires, 3 mutual aid calls, 3 motor vehicle accidents, 1 smoke investigation, 3 auto alarms for a total of 13 calls for the month, and 301 calls for the year. Total man hours for the year 3,602. There were 42 ambulance calls for the month, total calls year to date 665. Chief Koferl asked permission to attend the three parades in 2012 Port Jervis, Middletown and Holiday in July, October and December. Supervisor Flansburg moved to approve the department going to the parades. Motion is seconded by Supervisor Banach and carried with all in favor. Supervisor Flansburg moved to approve the Westfall Fire Department report. Motion is seconded by Supervisor Banach and carried with all in favor.

Jay Edwards gave the Mill Rift Fire Department report stating that on 12/8/11 they had a monthly meeting, on 12/17/11 they had a Mutual aid in Sparrowbush, 12/18/11 they had a structure fire and on 12/29/11 they ad a drill where they pumped new engine to tanker. They had a total of 42 man hours for the month and 821.25 for the year. The purchased a new “used” 1990 truck at a cost of $20,000.00. Motion to approve the report made by Supervisor Flansburg. Motion seconded by Vice-Chairman Fischer and carried with all favor.

HIGHWAY REPORT: Bill Schneider gave the report for December stating that the department had been out for light snow on 12/7 & 12/8. Robert Howard started work on 12/15/11. They have been clearing culvert pipes and drainage. There was light snow last night that caused them to put material down on Mountain Avenue. They’ve worked on the compost area. Had a tree down on Philips Lane. Mr. Schneider explained that on occasion they take care of Delaware Drive because it is a 3rd rate road for Penn Dot and at times it could take six hours for Penn Dot to get back to that road. Mr. Schneider asked the board if it was okay for the department to continue to take care of Delaware Drive on those occasions. Supervisor Flansburg asked Mr. Schneider’s opinion and whether or not they would be doing it on their way to plow Mill Rift anyway. Supervisor Flansburg said he would not have a problem in that case as it would improve ambulance calls and such. Supervisor Banach asked if Lisa Green should send a letter and have us keep track of how many times we are maintaining the road and possibly keep it even with Penn Dot. Mr. Schneider said he could address it at the Road Task Force. Vice-Chairman Fischer moved to approve report. Motion is seconded by Supervisor Flansburg and carried with all in favor.

BUILDING/ZONING REPORT: Mike Rendleman gave the report for December reporting two building permits, one sign permit and three zoning permits issued with fees of $ 1,192.00. Motion by Supervisor Banach to accept the report. Motion is seconded by Supervisor Melvin and carries with all in favor.

CORRESPONDENCE: On dais for review.

OLD BUSINESS:

Act 47 Monthly Report: Solicitor Bernathy stated that the township is coming up on the two year anniversary of the Federal Bankruptcy Courts signing the order confirming the Townships Bankruptcy Plan as well as the Act 47 Recovery Plan which amounts to final disposition of the bankruptcy plan. The Township is operating within the confines of its budget and continues to meet its financial obligations. The Township continues to provide essential services. Vice-Chairman Fischer moved to accept the report. Motion is seconded by Supervisor Melvin and carries with all in favor.

NEW BUSINESS:

Burning Ban Ordinance: Supervisor Banach moved to table the burning ban ordinance until we understand

it a little bit more clearly in regard to enforcement and what is going to be relative to participation and cooperation with Matamoras Borough. Also how this will impact the residents of that area and the taxpayers. Motion is seconded by Supervisor Flansburg and carried with all in favor.
Heaters Hill Emergency Culvert Repairs: The following three bids were received for the Heaters Hill Project. 1) Kobalt Construction, Inc. @ $168,000.00 2) Pioneer Construction Co. Inc. @ $ 77,000.00

3) Morgan Site Contractors LLC @ $62,512.97. Supervisor Banach asked Scott Myer about funding. Mr. Myer said there is funding for the project. Supervisor Flansburg asked if this would take care of all of the problem areas or just the one part. Mr. Schneider said it will take care of the emergency repairs to the culverts but there are other areas that the township road crew are working on also. Mark Spatz with Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. explained the project and how it will replace both culverts with one box culvert. Discussion followed. Supervisor Flansburg asked how we are going to accommodate people going to and from work. Mr. Spatz said that was clear to the contractor. Supervisor Banach questioned whether or not Mr. Spatz discussed the bids with the two lowest bidders. He did. Morgan also gave a day to day breakdown of construction schedule. Supervisor Melvin asked in the event of a major snow storm will they be able to plow Heaters Hill. Mr. Schneider said yes, this could still be done. Supervisor Banach asked if HRG would have someone there to monitor the progress. Mr. Spatz said HRG was not contracted to do that. Mr. Schneider was going to handle that; however they would be happy to do that if necessary. Dan Lawless asked if this had to do with the hurricane. Mr. Spatz said the culvert has been in the ground for a long time. The weather and storm did not cause it. There has been deterioration. Mr. Lawless asked about the increased size of the pipe. Mr. Spatz said they are being increased to 73 x 55 and 73 x 55. Joseph Banach asked about life expectancy of the galvanized pipe. The life expectancy is sixty seven years. Supervisor Flansburg moved to accept the bid from Morgan Site Contractors LLC subject to the Solicitors review. Motion is seconded by Supervisor Banach and carried with all in favor.

Advertise for Services: Supervisor Banach said this has been mentioned last year. It is a good idea to see if we could cut costs. Supervisor Melvin asked if we had a formal list of contracts. We do not have that. After a brief discussion the secretary was directed to compile a list of services by the next meeting for the Supervisors to review and decide upon which services they will begin to advertise for.

Reopen Budget: Supervisor Flansburg expressed his desire and right to reopen the budget. Supervisor Banach stated he believed it needs to be advertised by the 15th of February. Vice-Chairman Fischer stated that a lot of work went into the preparation of the budget. Solicitor Bernathy stressed the fact that the board is under a time constraint and this needs to be done within a timely manner as he checked the 2nd class township code. Solicitor Bernathy said the Court also gave approval of 15.7 mils. Discussion followed. Motion is made by Supervisor Flansburg to hold a special meeting for the purpose of amending the budget. The meeting will be held the following week, Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Motion is seconded by Supervisor Banach and carries with all in favor. In the meantime Supervisor Flansburg and Supervisor Melvin will be given all budget worksheets.

SUBDIVISION REVIEW AND ACTION: None

Mr. Spatz stated that he needed the Easement Agreements for the Heaters Hill Projects.

Pike County Power & Light Advisory Board: Motion to appoint Supervisor Flansburg to the Advisory Board made by Vice-Chairman Fischer. Motion is seconded by Supervisor Banach and carries with all in favor.

Mr. Lawless wished to thank the Supervisors for passing the speed limit on Cummins Hill Road and for getting Penn Dot to fix the bottom of Cummins Hill Road.

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8.52 pm on a motion by Supervisor Banach. Motion seconded by Supervisor Flansburg and carried with all in favor.